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Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. - European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) - Nairaland

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Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by naptu2: 8:11pm On Jan 30, 2016
[size=14pt]Remember the name: Kelechi Iheanacho is a Manchester City star in waiting.[/size]

By Sam Lee

Jan 30, 2016 16:55:00




The 19-year-old Nigerian is no stranger to City fans but is yet to receive a great deal of recognition elsewhere, something which is sure to change in the coming weeks and months

It's time to talk about Kelechi Iheanacho. Manchester City fans know they have got a serious talent on their hands and, soon enough, the rest of the world will know what all the fuss is about.

The 19-year-old Nigerian, recruited after lighting up the 2013 Under-17 World Cup, only got his papers through last February and spent time at Colombus Crew in the United States and was even stationed out in Barcelona as work permit issues dragged on. He was wowing City fans before he was officially a City player - showing flashes on two pre-season tours and impressing for the club's Elite Development Squad - and moments like today feel a long time coming.

After more than a year's worth of red tape, he has wasted little time showing what he's capable of, but still he is far from a household name

Just seconds into his second ever competitive senior appearance, against Crystal Palace back in September, he drifted into exactly the right area at exactly the right time to score a vital, last-gasp winner for a team who had established themselves as runaway favourites for the title.



Unfortunately for him, that fell the same day as Anthony Martial made his first impression on English football, coming off the bench to score a fairytale goal against Liverpool on his first appearance for Manchester United.

Chelsea had lost to Everton that lunchtime as Jose Mourinho's second spell at Stamford Bridge began to unravel, leaving Iheanacho pushed off the back pages and shunted towards the end of Match of the Day.

Wider exposure would have to wait. Until today, perhaps. City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been criticised by many fans for failing to give Iheanacho more first-team action, even as Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony have missed out through injury, meaning he has largely had to strut his stuff in cup competitions or in late league cameos. It's hard to say he could have done much more.

The youngster scored on his first senior start, against Palace in the League Cup, and was - finally, in the eyes of some - handed a full Premier League debut against Norwich City in the next game at the end of October. That was one opportunity he failed to grasp and found himself limited to late substitute appearances, often when the game was long lost, for the next 10 weeks: he did not start another league match until January 16.

In that time another League Cup goal against Hull City seemed to have fallen off the radar of the general football conciousness, and he was very fortunately credited with another dramatic winner, this time when Yaya Toure's shot deflected off his back and looped into the Swansea net.

It was at Norwich City in the last round of the FA Cup when he made it five goals in four starts with a cool effort from the edge of the box, but that strike and an impressive wider performance was limited to short internet highlights for the majority of City fans, let alone neutrals, given the FA Cup's limited television audience - and lack of illegal streams - around the world.

He had linked up well with Aguero in a 4-4-2 that day but the experiment was not particularly successful when tested again in the league against Palace a fortnight ago.

On Saturday, though, he was chosen as the lead striker in a 4-2-3-1 shape and took full advantage. Just four minutes in he bundled home a corner - another instinctive strike - to put City ahead. Fabian Delph, the former Aston Villa man, had a toy snake waved at him by a young boy as he lined up the set-piece. Instant karma at work in the Midlands.

If Iheanacho's first goal of the day was somewhat scrappy, the second highlighted his huge confidence. Raheem Sterling had looked set to take the penalty he had won seconds earlier, but Kelechi took the ball - without argument, seemingly - put it on the spot, stuttered his run-up to fox Brad Guzan and then slotted the ball slightly to the left of centre of goal. It was one of those penalties that can look terrible if not done properly. But Iheanacho knows what he's doing.

Clearly. Having been put through on goal thanks to a dreadful back-pass, he advanced on Guzan from just inside the Villa half, kept his cool, sized up the big American stopper, picked his spot and rolled in his hat-trick.

The evidence is there. Playing up front is no easy task for the best of strikers, let alone a 19-year-old, but he has shown that he has what it takes to play the role. The goals will speak for themselves but a fine cross-field through ball to Jesus Navas, reminiscent of his assist for Manu Garcia earlier in the season, was also sublime.

Iheanacho has scored in all three competitions in which he has played this season and is set to be included in City's Champions League squad when the squad list is re-submitted on Tuesday.

With Wilfried Bony still a couple of weeks away from fitness - and, frankly, having failed to convince - and Aguero unlikely to play every single game from now until the end of the season, Iheanacho is ready to take centre stage.

Given that his previous exploits - largely in the cup - have failed to earn him recognition as one of the Premier League's top propsects, if not one of the best young talents in world football, a stellar showing in the FA Cup against the worst Villa team in recent memory is unlikely to win over a great deal of new followers.


But ignore him at your peril

http://www.goal.com/en/news/780/fa-cup/2016/01/30/19829292/remember-the-name-kelechi-iheanacho-is-a-manchester-city-star-in-

32 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by INTROVERT(f): 8:12pm On Jan 30, 2016
true, he was spectacular today.

12 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by missdebs(f): 8:14pm On Jan 30, 2016
kelechi, I know say one day you go make us proud

59 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by naptu2: 8:21pm On Jan 30, 2016

4 Likes

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by isrealisaac: 8:41pm On Jan 30, 2016
nigeria jay jay to be
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Awareness123(m): 8:41pm On Jan 30, 2016
grin
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by onihaxy: 8:41pm On Jan 30, 2016
cool
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by atesunate(m): 8:41pm On Jan 30, 2016
Good for him.


But mind you that is his business what is your business. You don't have any?
Check my signature

1 Like

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Nobody: 8:42pm On Jan 30, 2016
What a player! If given opportunities he will tear up defences in the premier league.

The only worry for me is what would happen if Guardiola finally takes over Man City as being predicted. The man city board will give him a quite sizeable transfer kitty and it can't be ruled out that he would bring in other strikers especially if he wants to win the champions league as soon as possible.

Kelechi might find himself squeezed out under Guardiola; a case of the new pharaoh not knowing Joseph. I hope the opposite is the case though.

29 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by ArsenalChat: 8:42pm On Jan 30, 2016
Just a hatrick he is now messi? smh

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by brunofarad(m): 8:42pm On Jan 30, 2016
Ok
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by richardjemedafe1(m): 8:42pm On Jan 30, 2016
Abeg who get nokia torch charger??

1 Like

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by iceswapnoni: 8:44pm On Jan 30, 2016

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by nnanyereugo(m): 8:44pm On Jan 30, 2016
Fact
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Nobody: 8:44pm On Jan 30, 2016
He is over hyped. Very soon they will sell him to division 3 undecided

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by CapitalX(m): 8:44pm On Jan 30, 2016
That old man is nineteen, kai football e haf suffert!
.
Btw, God bless your hussle!
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by saintkel(m): 8:44pm On Jan 30, 2016
I believe with dis curb of playerd like igahon*, iheanacho, nwakali and chukwudi, Eagles will rise again

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Dplaymaker(m): 8:44pm On Jan 30, 2016
x remembered playing with him at taye fc owerri, den we were paid #300 for training now he earn in pounds. I'm really happy for u brother,remembere ike dplaymaker in ya paridise. I really hoped Stanley Okoro made it did far.

36 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Ucheosefoh(m): 8:45pm On Jan 30, 2016
More success, more goals and more trophy
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Nobody: 8:45pm On Jan 30, 2016
He's a talented player for sure.

If we(Naija) can manage our talents well,2018 world cup should be a massive hit for us.
We need a foreign coach and that messed up NFF board should be overhauled.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by westlius(m): 8:46pm On Jan 30, 2016
A blessing for nigeria and mikel a curse for nigeria. Pls our u17 and u20 should b used as senior team and flush out mikel and co. (Dem b bad belle) up gunners

2 Likes

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by CapitalX(m): 8:46pm On Jan 30, 2016
richardjemedafe1:
Abeg who get nokia torch charger??
me dey find my samsung charger head, u see 'am?

6 Likes

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by powerfulsettingz: 8:46pm On Jan 30, 2016
Maybe
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by NairaExam690(m): 8:46pm On Jan 30, 2016
Na my bro be that jooooor Na my bro be that jooooor Na my bro be that jooooor

2 Likes

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Amberon: 8:47pm On Jan 30, 2016
yaaay
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by flokii: 8:47pm On Jan 30, 2016
when will Africa develop her own football league sef...

we want to see Eyimba vs. Man U, .Kano pillars vs. Arsenal etc.

WHEN?

3 Likes

Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by ritababe(f): 8:47pm On Jan 30, 2016
I posted this topic first, this is not fair at seun and lalasticlala

https://www.nairaland.com/2901763/iheanacho-manchester-city-star-waiting
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Silvereze(m): 8:48pm On Jan 30, 2016
Iheanacho
Re: Iheanacho Is A Manchester City Star In Waiting - Goal.com. Scores Hat-trick. by Rossikk(m): 8:48pm On Jan 30, 2016
Yommisam:
The boy is good no doubt. Papilo in the making

Absolutely. He reminds me of a young Kanu. Very skilful and intelligent.

6 Likes

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